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BrisScience: Volcano alert! Towards predicting volcanic eruptions

Almost 10% of the global population lives within 100 km of an active volcano. Recent eruptions in the South-West Pacific, Guatemala and Hawaii have reminded us that we need to improve our understanding of volcanoes to minimise fatalities, injuries and disruptions on air traffic.

Why do volcanoes erupt? Will we be able to predict eruptions in the future?

UQ scientists investigate the products of volcanic eruptions – volcanic rocks and the crystals they contain – to read the processes that led to eruptions in the past, with the aim of helping to inform volcano monitoring efforts in the future.

Join Dr Teresa Ubide on a journey ‘inside’ volcanoes. Every volcano has a story, which can be read on volcanic crystals using microscopic laser chemical techniques.

Dr Teresa Ubide is a petrologist/volcanologist with a passion for understanding how volcanic systems work, and why, how and when eruptions start. Originally from San Sebastian (Spain), she joined UQ’s School of Earth and Environmental Sciences in July 2016, after completing her postgraduate studies in Spain and The Netherlands, and holding a research fellowship at Trinity College Dublin (Ireland).

Her research team investigates a variety of magmatic systems around the world. She is particularly interested in minerals hosted in volcanic rocks as they provide a detailed record of the processes that lead to volcanism.

For her volcano science innovation and science communication, she was awarded Australian People’s Choice at 180 Seconds of Science 2016 and Fresh Science 2017, and she was an invited speaker at International Pint of Science 2017. She is a contributor to The Conversation.